Vehicle seat lift structure
A vehicle seat having a lift structure for adjusting the position of the seat employs a load transfer link (9) to transfer the loads applied to the seat from a lift link (3) and an upper support (2) to a pivot bracket (7), which is typically coupled to the floor of the vehicle. The load transfer link is coupled to the pivot bracket on one end and to the lift link on the opposite end, in order to transfer the load. The lift structure permits movement of a restraint seatbelt with the height adjustment of the vehicle seat, thus reducing the potential for discomfort of the occupant.
The present invention relates to the field of vehicle seating technology. More particularly, the invention relates to enhancements in lift structures for motor vehicle seating.
Typically, a lift structure for a vehicle seat includes a floor bracket and an upper support, such as a seat cushion frame, which is height-adjustably connected to the floor bracket or track sections. A torsion tube typically couples a height-adjustable upper support on each side of the vehicle seat so that the sides of the lift structure are parallel when the vehicle seat is subjected to a normal load.
Additionally, a vehicle seat typically has a lap belt restraint as part of a three point harness. The lap belt restraint is typically attached to the floor bracket, which is also referred to as a pivot bracket. The method of attachment to the pivot bracket that is typically employed for a height-adjustable vehicle seat, such as a vehicle seat with a lift structure, may result in discomfort for an occupant of the vehicle seat and may potentially result in miscommunication between sensors of a lift structure.
One noted problem that may occur when a lift structure of a vehicle seat is activated to adjust the seat height is that the seatbelt of the vehicle seat may tighten around the seat occupant. Such a tightening typically results in discomfort for the seat occupant and may require occupant to adjust the seatbelt. A second problem may occur when a lift system of a vehicle seat is activated, wherein the seatbelt may become cinched, since the seatbelt restraint is attached to a floor-mounted pivot bracket. A third problem may result when a sensor, such as an Occupant Classification Sensor (OCS), is located between the occupant and the seatbelt attachment. In this case, the cinched seatbelt may contribute to false inputs being delivered to the OCS. In many vehicle seats, height adjustment of the upper support is typically performed manually or by a motor. Additionally, attaching a lap belt restraint to the upper support of a vehicle seat base is known in the art. However, in addition to the above-stated problems, the attachment of a lap belt restraint to the upper support may create problems with properly restraining and reinforcing the load of the vehicle seat. Becker et al., U.S. Patent Publication No. 2003/0160483, assigned to C. Rob. Hammerstein GmbH & Co., proposes one design to address this issue; however, such a design is itself costly and complicated.
Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide a lift structure of a vehicle seat, wherein the restraint attachment is affixed to or moves accordingly with an upper support of the vehicle seat base. Such a lift structure would permit movement of the restraint attachment with the height adjustment of the vehicle seat, thus reducing the potential for discomfort for the vehicle seat occupant. The relocation of the restraint attachment to the upper support addresses the aforementioned comfort issue, in addition to avoiding the false inputs being delivered to the OCS system. Additionally, it would be advantageous to provide a lift structure, wherein the seatbelt loads on the upper support of the vehicle seat base bypass the linkages and transfer the seatbelt loads to the pivot bracket through a load transfer link. It should be appreciated that the teachings herein may be applied without necessarily achieving any the advantages identified herein.
SUMMARYOne embodiment of the present invention pertains to a lift structure of a vehicle seat, the lift structure including an upper support, a pivot bracket, a lift link, and a load transfer link. The lift link and the load transfer link each have first and second ends. The first end of the lift link is coupled to the upper support, and the second end of the lift link is coupled to the second end of the load transfer link by a fastener, which allows the second end of the load transfer link to be maneuvered within a slot in the lift link. The first end of the load transfer link is coupled to the pivot bracket in order to transfer the load from the lift link. The slot in the lift link includes a first side and a second side. The fastener coupled with the load transfer link travels along the first side of the slot in the lift link. The second side of the slot in the lift link is defined by a plurality of curved indentations in the surface of the second side, wherein the fastener can be seated when the lift structure is not actuated.
An alternate embodiment of the present invention pertains to a lift system for transferring the load of a vehicle seat including an upper support, a pivot bracket, a lift link, and a load transfer link. The pivot bracket is attachable to a floor of a vehicle. A lift link may be coupled to an upper support to enable movement relative to one another. A load transfer link, having first and second ends, may be coupled within an aperture in the lift link to permit adjustment of the position of the load transfer link. The load transfer link may be further coupled to the pivot bracket. The load transfer link transfers the load of the vehicle seat from the upper support to the pivot bracket, which is attached to the floor of a vehicle.
Another embodiment of the present invention pertains to a method of manufacturing a lift structure for a vehicle seat including the steps of securing a pivot bracket to a floor of a motor vehicle; and coupling a lift link to an upper support to enable movement of the lift link relative to the position of the upper support. The lift link and upper support may be coupled together by a torsion tube, or other coupling devices, which may orthogonally traverse the orientation of the lift link. Additionally, the method includes coupling a second end of a load transfer link, which has a first and second end, within an aperture in the lift link to permit adjustment of the position of the load transfer link, and coupling the first end of the load transfer link to the pivot bracket, wherein the load transfer link is employed to transfer the load of the vehicle seat to the pivot bracket.
Referring to
Slot 13 in lift link 3 engages fastener 5 at second end 10 of load transfer link 9. Slot 13 includes a first side 14 and a second side 15. First side 14 may be referred to as the upper profile of the slot, while second side 15 may be referred to as the lower profile. During actuation of load transfer link 9 within slot 13, fastener 5 is configured to travel along first side 14 of slot 13 in the lift link 3, which is preferably a substantially smooth surface. Second side 15 of slot 13 may include a plurality of curved indentations 16, wherein fastener 5 may be positioned when lift structure 1 is not actuated.
Referring now to
Throughout the specification numerous advantages of exemplary embodiments have been identified. Although many features have been described in the context of a vehicle seat comprising a particular lift structure, it will be appreciated such features could also be implemented in the context of other configurations. Further, although the disclosed methods are described as a series of steps performed sequentially, it is to be understood that the steps generally may be performed in any order unless otherwise noted or obvious to a person of ordinary skill. Additionally, some steps may be performed repetitively in particular one of the steps being performed more frequently than others when applicable. Alternatively, it may be desirable in some situations to perform steps in a different order than described. Accordingly, it should be understood that changes and modifications may be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit thereof which should only be delimited by any claim appended hereto.
Claims
1. A lift apparatus for a vehicle having a seat, comprising:
- a pivot bracket attached to a floor of the vehicle;
- a load transfer link having a first and a second end, the first end of the load transfer link being coupled to the pivot bracket for transferring the load of the vehicle seat;
- a lift link having a first and a second end and a slot, the first end of the lift link is coupled to an upper support of a seat base and the second end of the lift link is coupled to the pivot bracket, and the second end of the load transfer link moves within the lift link slot during height adjustment of the vehicle seat, wherein the lower edge of the lift link slot includes a plurality of indentations;
- a seat belt restraint attachment coupled to the upper support, such that the seat belt restraint attachment moves with the upper support as the height of the seat is adjusted; and
- a fastener coupled to the load transfer link that moves within the lift link slot as the height of the seat is adjusted and wherein the fastener is supported in one of the plurality of indentations when the lift apparatus is not actuated.
2. The lift apparatus of claim 1, further including a torsion tube coupled to the upper support of the vehicle seat.
3. The lift apparatus of claim 1, further including a sensor for detecting a load in the vehicle seat.
4. The lift apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lift link slot includes an upper edge that is smooth such that the fastener travels along the upper edge of the slot during height adjustment of the vehicle seat.
5. A lift system for adjusting a height of a seat within a vehicle, comprising:
- a pivot bracket mounted to a floor of the vehicle;
- an upper support secured to a vehicle seat base that is spaced a predetermined distance from the pivot bracket, and the upper support sustains a load of the seat;
- a load transfer link having a lower end that is pivotally coupled to the pivot bracket, wherein the load transfer link transfers the load of the vehicle seat to the pivot bracket;
- a lift link having a first and a second end and a slot, the first end of the lift link being coupled to an upper support of the seat base and the second end of the lift link being coupled to the pivot bracket, and the second end of the load transfer link moves within the lift link slot during height adjustment of the vehicle seat, wherein the lower edge of the lift link slot includes a plurality of indentations;
- a seat belt restraint attachment coupled to the upper support, such that the seat belt restraint attachment moves with the upper support as the height of the seat is adjusted; and
- a fastener coupled to the load transfer link that moves within the lift link slot as the height of the seat is adjusted and wherein the fastener is supported in one of the plurality of indentations when the lift system is not actuated.
6. The lift apparatus of claim 5, further including a torsion tube coupled to the upper support of the vehicle seat.
7. The lift apparatus of claim 5, further including a sensor for detecting a load in the vehicle seat.
8. The lift apparatus of claim 5, wherein the lift link slot includes an upper edge that is smooth such that the fastener travels along the upper edge of the slot during height adjustment of the vehicle seat.
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Type: Grant
Filed: Jul 31, 2006
Date of Patent: Jun 21, 2011
Patent Publication Number: 20080303327
Inventors: Ganesh T. Ramaseshadri (Ypsilanti, MI), William S. Brewer (Canton, MI)
Primary Examiner: David Dunn
Assistant Examiner: Tania Abraham
Attorney: Butzel Long
Application Number: 11/997,521
International Classification: A47C 1/00 (20060101); B60N 2/16 (20060101);